F-In Dog!!!

[QuickSilverGT]

So I had been looking forward to getting a dog for quite some time now and my girlfriend convinced me to drive down to the local animal shelter and pick one up. We ended up getting a 1 year old mut (part sheppard) and he's been a complete pain.

While driving him to the vet today he refused to stay in the back and in my struggles to get him to stay in the back he scratch the he!! out of my armrest, driver seat, and passenger seat (I have a GT: LEATHER!)

While at the vet it turns out he needs rabbies shots ($15), heartworm shots ($35), tags ($6), a route canal ($150), and to be nudered ($75). Grand Total: $281. We've already bought him food ($10), treats ($3), toys ($4), collar ($6), harness ($13), leech ($8), bed ($25), and bowls ($6). Grand Total: $75. The Harness he already ripped into peaces btw.

Not including the repairs/replacement of my cars interior, this dog is going to cost me $350. It's not much but considering I'm a college student who has to pay for his classes, rent, books, car, insurance, food, gas, etc... that's way too much. (Notice I didn't mention health insurance... that's cause I don't have any right now)

That having been said, he's going back tommorow.

He's not all bad though. He's house broken, plays nice, knows how to shake, and is strong... just too expensive for me right now... and he doesn't get along well with males (any- me included). Loves my girlfriend though.

[XTRAWLD]

Awww.....all that money and what do you get.....this priceless statement.

Animals are quite the investment, so I'd rather see you give up the pup as opposed to struggling with it and not being able to provide for it's needs. It takes something like that to really show you sometimes though.....perhaps at a later stage in life you'll have another shot at it.

But, I'm laughing over here by the way anyway.

[hyunelan2]

Why give up? The money's already gone... getting rid of the dog's not gonna bring it back.

[NorthernYankee]

agreed you already put out the initial investment in the animal you should keep him...he will get used to you...and you will have a good friend...I wouldn't know what to do without my Dog she is like my child and I love her.

--NY

[QuickSilverGT]

I was talking to my girlfriend and we will probably keep him with one stipilation: He will never ride in my car again. Had it not been for my car I wouldn't really mind what he did because he really is an obediant dog especially considering we have only had him for a couple of days. If I have to invest much more in him though I will give him up because we are in our third week of school and I still haven't bought a single book because of my $$$ situation.

[2GTS]

Hold on cause this might sting......You were foolish to think a dog is a cheap purchase and it sounds like you didn't do your homework on this. $350 isn't alot of money for a dog or even a cat, I paid more than that for my first dog and my 7 month old puppy set me back $1200 just for the dog. As you've probably figured out college students don't really make good dog owners for several reasons #1 being money. As much as I hate to see animals in a shelter please take this dog back, BUT ONLY if this is a shelter that does not put a animal down after not finding a home after a week or two. If it was the pound please be an adult and deal with the doggie untill you can find him a home, this dog doesn't need to be put back on death row so to speak because you weren't prepared for what comes with the cute puppy dog face.



After reading the post you made while I was typing I would say to find the dog a new home. The decision of keeping or getting rid of him shouldn't be because of not having books and now he needs a vet trip and you only have the money for one. I'm not sure if you've owned dogs before but to me they are family and I feel that's the way all pet dogs should be treated. I won't be kicking anyone out of my family over a hundred bucks. Save yourself and the dog from more pain and hassel and find someone (please not a college budy) that has the time and disposable income to do this the right way.

[QuickSilverGT]

I was prepared for him tearing up the apartment and what not but why the car. It's the only thing I get pissy about and it's the one thing he goes after. They do put them down by the way. Here's another kicker, if within a year I decide I don't want him, I have to return him to the shelter. No selling, no giving away, has to be returned.

[2004ElantraGLS]

Dude, I don't mean to sound like a prick, but anyone who puts a dog in their backseat with leather interior deserves to have it f@cked up. That being said, I agree with everyone here that a dog is a huge investment.

It sucks though that you had to get all those shots n stuff. I know that the local animal shelter here does all that before they give them up for adoption. All shots, heart worms, neutered/spayed...you name it.

Anyway, good luck with you new buddy. With a little patience/practice, I'm sure he'll grow on you and make a fine dog.

Axel

[2GTS]

Not trying to be an *** but it looks like you kinda screwed this one up if you don't keep him.

[QuickSilverGT]

I didn't put him in the back seat with the seats exposed. I lowered them so he would sit on the back of them. He jumped up front to my seat though and kept doing so back and forth using the armrest as a stepping stool. He scratched it up bad and scratched the two seats of front too. Hopefully some conditioner or something will make the seats look better, as for the armrest, I'm going to have to get a new one.

fyi: I know getting him was a dumbass move in my behalf.

[SuperGLS]

Looks like you've learned the dogs and leather doesn't mix learn.

[XTRAWLD]

Well, it's a big responsibility...any pet for that matter. Be prepared for it if you keep him. I never turn my back on my animals, no matter how much they pissed me off, because I did the research at the beginning and was prepared to handle what they could throw at me. They look up to you for feedings, shelter, etc. You have to provide him with these as he's basically "defenceless." Just don't take him in the car with you anymore, but the damage is done already isn't it? When I got my puppy 15 years ago, yes he was a bit of a pain, but not too much. Now he's my best friend and I can't imagine going through life without him. I'm going to have to say good bye to him soon because he's getting old...and that by far is the worst part of pet ownership. Yes you've invested what you consider a lot of money on this dog already. Yearly vet bills, more food, more toys, your time (have to have someone to watch him when on vacation if you don't take him with you).....Just decide if you can't devote these things to him down the road....do you see yourself taking him to the vet and getting shots, and buying food for him this time next year?

[GTSpeedRacer]

I agree with some of the people here- it's a responsibility and some people just aren't ready. That's nothing against you, it's a matter of where you are in your life and whether the pet 'fits' or not.

You can get harnesses for the back seat, and you could also put a leash and collar on him and tie him in the back next time. If you care about your car I think making a rule he doesn't drive in it is a good way to compramise with your gf who sounds like she was a bit of an influence in getting him.

That being said, the dog probably a) has been cooped up at the pound and is a little excitable, b) needs a bit more discipline (which dogs actually like because then they know where they stand -always ONLY use positive reinforcement) and c) probably deserves a bit more of a chance- it has no idea what it did to your car.

[evan938]

i would have taken my subs out and thrown that ****er in the trunk...i guess there are a couple perks to having a 4 door...with my luck though, he would find that emergency release...while im driving down road, the damn trunk opens..

reminds me to get rid of that before i commit any kidnappings :locked: :help:

[AUTOBOT]

While driving him to the vet today he refused to stay in the back and in my struggles to get him to stay in the back he scratch the he!! out of my armrest, driver seat, and passenger seat (I have a GT: LEATHER!).

No offense, but serves you right.
For your safety and the safety of the dog, you should have had him in a kennel.

[NorthernYankee]

No offense, but serves you right.
For your safety and the safety of the dog, you should have had him in a kennel.

Well he said the dog is part shepard so I doubt he would be able to fit a kennel big enough for that dog in his car...I know I wouldn't for my dog...she is over 100 pounds. All you need is one of the harnesses that attaches to the seat belt anchors.

--NY

[evan938]

damn...screw a kennel...i had to take my cats to the vet a few months ago...they dont like going...we can fit both of them into a small carrier...but no...they scratched the **** outta my mom (where she had blood coming out, not scratches, cuts) so she put them in this BIG *** cage we have...its gotta be 20"x24"x30"...then, she decides shes going to put it in my back seat, which i told her i would so she didnt **** up my paint...what happens? the corner catches the paint...it wasnt a big chip at all, but i noticed it...silver chip on black paint shows very nicely...then it starts rusting!*? wtf...luckily, i had the whole car repainted when i wrecked it...to bad the ****ty shop didnt even sand it down so it could be seen...then of course what happens the day i get the car back? even bigger scratch in the paint...oh...im just gonna buy some **** car for dumb stuff like this...ive had the car < year and i have probably 900$ in dents and a few paint chips, a star in my windshield...ugh